8 Best Open Source Software You Should Be Using

It used to be that getting good computer software meant pulling out your wallet and handing over cash. When it comes to examples like this, there’s no better one than Microsoft software. However, as the Best Open Source Software movement gained traction, we began to see items of exceptional quality. How much does it cost? Nothing at all. Isn’t the Internet wonderful?

What is Open Source?

Open source and closed (proprietary) source software are the two types available. It’s critical to know the difference between the two.

Open source is when the software’s source code (the code that operates the software) is freely accessible to anybody. If you’re curious about how certain features function, you may produce a copy of the programme and make it available under an open-source licence. It is always possible to download and use open-source software. That’s what we’re all here for.

Closed source (proprietary) software on the other hand does not allow anyone to access it. In order to earn a profit, firms do not want you to examine their product’s source code.

The source code for Microsoft and Apple products, for example, is not available to the general public. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s possible to run open source software on Microsoft or Apple operating systems, but getting behind the hood to analyse their code? I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.

Also Read: 7 Free And Open Source Download Managers For Windows And Linux

List of 8 Best Open Source Software

I’ve compiled a list of what I consider to be the top open-source projects currently in existence. The term “largest and finest” is obviously a matter of opinion, so perhaps you disagree with my assessment? Please let me know if this is the case.

1) Mozilla Firefox

Even though I’m a big fan of Google Chrome, I can’t deny my affection for Mozilla Firefox. Unlike Chrome, Firefox has been available for a longer period of time, and it was Firefox that started to break Microsoft’s web browser dominance.

I’m amazed, though, that so few people are aware that Mozilla, the non-profit foundation that owns Firefox, is open source. Firefox’s source code is available for public inspection, and you are welcome to contribute by volunteering your time or even creating your own browser from scratch. WaterFox, PaleMoon, and the Tor Browser are three examples.

2) Linux

The Linux operating system is the most widely used, well-known, and widely adopted open source project to date. More than a hundred Linux “distros” have been created since the project began in 1991. (short for distributions). I’ve just profiled the Tails Linux distribution, and it’s up there with well-known distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian.

For those put off by the prospect of having to pay for a costly operating system or for those who have a vendetta against Microsoft, Linux may be an appealing option.

3) WordPress

This is another well-known example of an open-source project, second only to Linux. It powers more than 60 million websites, including online stores, portfolios, and blogs (and many more uses in-between).

A lot of websites would be insignificant jeopardy if WordPress chose to halt development tomorrow.

WordPress relies significantly on its extensive plugin and theme library to enhance its usefulness. There are a slew of paid alternatives, but the majority are available for free.

4) Chromium

According to Mozilla Firefox, the finest open-source browser, Google has also been working on a light open-source browser.

Google’s open-source browser, Chromium, is not to be confused with Chrome. Chromium is the primary source of Google Chrome’s code, but it is also a browser in its own right.

This code is being used by a number of different browsers. Amazon Silk and Opera are also included in this list. Microsoft Edge will soon have Chromium in its browser as well.

Although Linux is supported by most major software applications, installing them is not as simple as it would be on Windows or macOS. You’ll need to be able to use a computer.

5) LibreOffice

LibreOffice is the best possible reason to never pay for Microsoft Office again. If you can get by with free software like LibreOffice and Google Suite, why would you pay for Office 365?

LibreOffice is a set of tools for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, databases, and what are referred to as “presentations” in the business (their version of Powerpoint). Other file formats, including Microsoft files, are fully supported and there is a one-click PDF generating option. LibreOffice has its own file format.

6) KeePass

It’s been a while since I wrote about how much I adore KeePass and that love hasn’t faded despite the presence of other, flashier password managers. It’s true that KeePass is a little basic and useful. Sometimes all you need is a simple answer.

In addition to saving your passwords, it offers a password generator that is simple to use. It pre-fills the KeePass fields when you accept the one it provides you, making the process as simple as clicking “save.”

You can sync your password database across many computers with KeePass’s portable version, which can be stored on the cloud.

7) Cryptocurrency

Finally, a form of digital money. Even cryptocurrencies are open-source, as anybody can study the code and create a new one from scratch. For example, if I was so motivated and had the necessary development abilities, I could take Bitcoin and utilise the code to create an ONeillCoin.

8) Thunderbird

Thunderbird is considerably superior to most premium email clients for managing multiple email accounts. You only need to enter your email address and password once, and it will take care of the rest.

You’ll be able to transfer large files and keep track of attachments with this program’s strong search and add-ons support.

Conclusion

When the occasion arises, I turn to several of these as go-to solutions. These applications, in terms of both usability and features, outperform the main premium ones, in my opinion. I’d also like to encourage you to donate to your favourite open-source software, as they often rely completely on contributions for their upkeep.